Lauren Combs, Au.D., doctor of audiology, and patient care coordinators, Jennifer Barnes and Patricia Stressler, enjoy cool ice cream treats during The Hearing Clinic’s Patient Appreciation event July 21 in the Asheboro office at 328B Fayetteville St. The Hearing Clinic has served the Piedmont Triad for more than 30 years. (Contributed photo)

Nathan Cockman, left, and Sara Pippin, right, dress as cows for their first Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day at the Chick-fil-A on Dixie Drive in Asheboro on July 14. They both agreed that it was good that it gets ‘everyone participating in the community’ and that it is ‘groups of people, and not just one person’ at a time. The popular annual event attracted hundreds to the fast food restaurant, says local franchisee Sam Ramsey. (Photo by Erik Buxton)

Industry groups representing technology and life sciences companies are lobbying against provisions in the state Senate budget that they say would hurt North Carolina’s ability to attract and nurture innovative businesses.

The owner of Piedmont Candy Co., of Lexington, celebrated this major milestone by purchasing a 90,000-square-foot warehouse at the former Duracell complex on U.S. Highway 64 East to be used as a distribution center for this still expanding, local company.

Delhaize Group, Salisbury-based Food Lion’s parent company, has agreed to a merger with Royal Ahold, a Dutch retailer that operates the U.S. supermarket chain Giant. The deal will create the fifth-largest supermarket retailer in the U.S.